Thursday, August 1, 2013

Remembering Mary

"He who received seed on good ground is he who hears the Word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit." Matthew 13:23.

Smells of incense wake me, I gently turn over and slip first one, then other leg off the mattress and roll out of the covers and tumble my feet onto the rug. The sweet smell enters my body and brings me to a place of comfort. The priest waves the brass incense container, tinging out a tune in the quiet of the cold church. Dark, and still, a chorus of snores comes from the bedrooms as I tiptoe my bare feet down the hall. The smell is pleasant and I savor it as long as it lasts.

"Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen." I whisper."Hail Mary, full of grace. The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen." I repeat again.
"Mother Mary comes to me, speaking words of wisdom." I softly sing trying to remember the rest of the song. "And in the hour of darkness, she is standing right in front of me." "Let it be, let it be." "How's your mom and dad?" A warm friendly voice asks.
Many years ago Mary gave me a tiny white beaded purse, that had a silver and pearl chain, a Catholic rosary along with a booklet. How to pray the rosary it said. Mary heard God's Word, and understood it.

Mary was not famous, but she was loved by her family and friends. She was a woman of faith and who often looked to her namesake Mary when she was troubled. She knew that in times of weakness, it is our faith that makes us strong.